Mt. Kisco cop charged with death of immigrant

A Mount Kisco police officer has been indicted on second-degree manslaughter in the death of an illegal immigrant.Officer George Bubaris was arraigned in Westchester County Court Thursday and pleaded not guilty to the charges, which also include unlawful imprisonment and official misconduct. The manslaughter count is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore says the grand jury found evidence that Officer Bubaris, while on duty, exposed Rene Perez to a risk of serious physical injury and recklessly caused his death.

Perez was found on April 28 lying next to Byram Lake Road in Bedford, just outside of Mount Kisco. Perez later died at the Westchester Medical Center from abdominal injuries. His death was ruled a homicide by the county medical examiner. Three Mount Kisco officers had contact with Perez at a Laundromat about an hour before he was found on Byram Lake Road. One of those officers, Bubaris, had no other calls for 30 minutes after he and the other officers saw Perez. Bubaris was suspended from the force after his arrest. Two other officers are on modified duty since the incident pending an internal investigation. Perez's family has also filed a lawsuit against the department and additional suits could still come.

Click here to view reaction from residents to the arrest

Click here to view reaction from the advocacy group Hispanics Across AmericaTo view comments on the arrest, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and click on iO Extra.

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